Washington, George, as Continental Commander

Letter signed ("Go: Washington"), 1 page (13 1/4 x 8 1/8 in.; 337 x 207 mm) on a bifolium (watermarked Britannia | S Lay), Head Quarters, Morris Town, 22 May 1780, to Major Thomas L. Moore, at Paramus, text in the hand of Robert Hanson Harrison, integral blank with autograph address panel signed ("Go: Washington") and reception docket; seal tear, a few pinholes at intersecting folds, address panel soiled.

The Writings of George Washington, ed. Fitzpatrick, 18:401–02 (text from the draft, with several errors in transcription)

Letter signed ("Go: Washington"), 1 page (13 1/4 x 8 1/8 in.; 337 x 207 mm) on a bifolium (watermarked Britannia | S Lay), Head Quarters, Morris Town, 22 May 1780, to Major Thomas L. Moore, at Paramus, text in the hand of Robert Hanson Harrison, integral blank with autograph address panel signed ("Go: Washington") and reception docket; seal tear, a few pinholes at intersecting folds, address panel soiled.
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Following a brutal winter encampment at Morristown, General Washington urges caution in attacking a Loyalist garrison at Bull's Ferry.

Thomas Lloyd Moore was the commander of the Eighth Company of the Ninth Pennsylvania Regiment—serving almost exclusively in New Jersey—from December 1778 through June 1781. Moore and his men endured two winters at the Continental headquarters in Morristown, where the troops faced conditions every bit as harsh as at Valley Forge—and where the American Army was depleted by desertion and a dearth of reenlistments. Washington here responds to Moore's account of his troop strength and his suggestion that a British blockhouse north of Hoboken be attacked.

"I have received your Letter of yesterday and am glad to hear that you have lost none of your Detachment by Desertion. With respect to the attempt which you are desirous of making against the party of the Enemy who are establishing themselves at Bulls ferry—I leave the matter with yourself, to act in it or not as circumstances may justify, but the Enterprize should not be undertaken I think, without you have a very good & almost certain prospect both of succeeding in it and bringing off your Detachment safe afterwards. The most profound secrecy and the greatest rapidity in the execution of the business will be essential to give it the best chance of success."

Moore evidently elected to follow the course of prudence that Washington suggested, and the British blockhouse at Bull's Ferry continued to afford protection for Tory loggers who were providing firewood to New York City. Two months after writing the present letter, Washington detached the First and Second Pennsylvania Brigades, under the command of Anthony Wayne, to destroy the stockade. But Wayne's assault was unsuccessful and his soldiers suffered 64 casulties, including sixteen fatalities. He did, however, return to camp with some cattle driven off  from the Tories, and the episode was ridiculed by John André in his comic poem "The Cow Chace."